What does one wear to a sex club?
One more internet search later, I’m extracting a dress from the pile of my clothes. It’s a tight-fitting maroon dress that is just sexy enough without being too revealing. I put on some blush and mascara, pairing it with a deep red lipstick. My eyes are still glossy from crying, but this—this feels better.
I look good, and I finally have a plan. What more could a girl ask for?
Half an hour later, I say goodbye to my rideshare driver and exit the silver Hyundai in the parking lot of the club.
The streetlight flickers, giving the street an eerie feeling, and I clutch my trusted purse closer to me. The club is a single-storyfreestanding building, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Inhaling deeply to steel myself, I make my way to the entrance. A burly bodyguard waits outside.
“ID?” he asks, sounding disinterested.
I pull my fake ID from my purse, careful not to show my gun. Fuck, I hope he doesn’t search me. He checks the ID and gives it back to me. I shoot him a nervous smile.
“Phone?”
My eyes widen at his request.He wants my phone?What if I need to call for help?
Who would you call, Alex? The police?My inner voice snickers, and I hand my phone to the bodyguard.
The only person I would call for help is missing, which is precisely why I’m here. But instead of taking my phone, he grabs a small black sticker from a bar table next to him and sticks it over the camera.
“No cameras allowed, and two drinks maximum.”
I nod profusely, making my way inside as he lets me through. A breath of relief exits my lungs, but the next one gets stuck in my throat. My eyes trail the dimly lit room, exploring every detail.
What would Sophie have in common with this place? Or with the person who owns this place?
The maroon leather booths are old and weathered, but the dark wood bar looks brand new. It’s still glossy and polished, missing the signature marks that bars get with time. The mirror behind it is slightly chipped, though. The place is not empty, but a few heads still turn to the entrance as I walk in. No one is naked, thank God, but I’m still overdressed. The men sport mostly casual clothes, jeans and polo shirts, with a few button-downs strewn around. The women are in skirts or dresses, but more like bar hopping mini skirts than dresses like the one I’m wearing.
I make my way to the bar to escape the limelight and sit my overdressed ass on a stool. The bartender approaches me instantly, shooting me a warm smile. She’s beautiful, with shoulder-length blonde hair and a petite but curvy stature.
“You’re new here,” she says, and it’s not a question. I dip my head. “Oh, you’ll do just fine. What can I get you?”
Drinking probably isn’t the best idea, but I guess one drink for courage wouldn’t hurt. “Cranberry vodka, please.”
“Coming right up.” She turns around and makes quick work of mixing my drink. A male customer wolf-whistles at her, but she just rolls her eyes.
“Thank you,” I say as she places the drink in front of me.
“You’re welcome.” Someone close to me asks for a beer, so she turns over a glass and grabs a beer bottle from the fridge, popping it open. “What brings you to our neck of the woods?”
This is my chance. “A friend recommended this place. Maybe you’ve seen her around?” I take a sip of my drink, trying to downplay the importance of her answer. “She has long brown hair, brown eyes, and doesn’t really wear makeup.”
“Does she have a name?” She uses a rag to clean the spilled counter.
“Sophie.”
Her arm stops mid-motion, her eyes staring at a single spot. “You say she’s a friend?”
“Actually, she’s my cousin. But also my best friend.”
She nods, biting the inside of her bottom lip before speaking. “Sorry, I don’t know her. I’m Nina, by the way.”
“Alex.” We shake hands, but I’m left feeling empty. By her reaction, I’m pretty sure she knows something, but she obviously doesn’t want to share.
I take a sip of liquid courage and decide to go for it. Squandering the first chance of getting some actual information after all this time isn’t an option. Nina seems kind, and maybe she just needs a little push to tell me the truth.
“Look…The truth is, Sophie is nowhere to be found. I can’t get in contact with her, and she hasn’t been home in a while. It’s not like her to do that, and I’m worried. Maybe this is the wrong place to look for her, but it’s the only option I have. Sophie is my only family, my best friend. I just want to know she’s safe.” The words spill out of me in a single breath.
